Clamp for paper polls and the like



April 9, 1968 w. R. ELLIS CLAMP FOR PAPER ROLLS AND THE LIKE 4Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed July 10 1963 IN VENTOR.

W/LL/AM R. ELL/5 BY 4/ Z' FIG. I

April 9, 1968 w. 1 5 Re. 26,369

CLAMP FOR PAPER ROLLS AND THE LIKE o 4.1 O a INVENTOR.

I 1 1 g; W w 7% 225d g ,1 47 265d 53 a I I :19 #95 4 0% X; 225:: 4/

\ L v 1 1 r m1 Q33 April 9, 1968 w. R. ELLIS Re. 26,369

CLAMP FOR PAPER ROLLS AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 10, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet :5

235 239 FIG. 9 117 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM R. ELLIS April 9, 1968 w ELUS Re. 26,369

CLAMP FOR PAPER ROLLS AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 10, 1963 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 14

INVENTOR WILLIAM R. ELL/S United States Patent 0 26,369 CLAMP FOR PAPERROLLS AND THE LIKE William R. Ellis, 1056 Woodview Drive, Memphis, Tenn.38117 Original No. 3,252,609, dated May 24, 1966, Ser. No.

294,029, July 10, 1963. Application for reissue Jan. 25, 1967, Ser. No.617,432

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-652) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lift truck with roll handling mechanism foruse in handling rolls of paper and the like. The mechanism includes afirst plate movably mounted on the mast of the lift truck, a secondplate closely spaced in parallel relationship with the first plate, andmeans rotatably supporting the first plate from the second plate. Rollclamping means including a pair of cooperative clamp arms mounted on thesecond plate adjacent the front side thereof. The drive means forrotating the second plate is located outside 0] the space between thefirst and second plates to permit a close spacing of the first andsecond plates for a low load center loss.

This invention relates to a clamp used in conjunction with a lift truckfor handling rolls of paper and the like.

Heretofore, in previous devices of the above-mentioned type, theso-callcd load-center losses have been large. These load-center lossesare proportional to the distance of the load-center from the front ofthe lift truck. Prior devices have had high load-center losses becausethe previous pattern within the industry has been to stack components,that is, the rotator and the clamp body, one behind the other. A highload-center loss is undesirable since the load-center loss determinesthe maximum load for a given truck weight that can be carried Withoutthe truck being tilted under the weight of the load.

Among other things, the present invention is directed towards reducingthe load-center losses inherent in previous devices of this type byreplacing the two above-mentioned components by a single clamp devicewith the front plate of the rotator becoming the frame of the clamp andwith the cylinders and guide bars being wrapped behind the front plateof the rotator in overlapping relationship to the rotator itself.

Thus, one of the objects of the present invention is to reducesubstantially the load-center losses in devices for handling rolls ofpaper and the like.

A further object is to provide improved means in such a device foraccomplishing the swinging of the longer of the two clamp arms.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of the hydraulicsystem which includes a unique system of passing the hydraulic oilthrough the centers of the two actuating cylinders of the clamp, therebyeliminating the hose lines to the shoulder of the clamp.

A further object is to provide a unique articulated pad construction onthe swinging arm which acts as a mechanical storage of energy so that ifthe oil pressure is released, the slack will be taken up mechanically.

A further object is eliminate the use of a carriage on the lift truck bybolting the carriage roller brackets to the back of the rotatorbackplate and extending these into a slot in the channel.

A further object is to provide a device for handling rolls of paper andthe like in which there is no necessity Cir for any forward tilt of theforklift truck mast to pick up rolls from the floor due to the uniquearrangement of the clamp arms.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction ofdevices for handling rolls of paper and the like.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the presentinvention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment willbe readily understood from the following specification upon reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention withtwo other positions of the swinging clamp arm being shown in brokenlines, and with the lift truck being shown in broken lines.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the same with the paper rollbeing shown in solid lines in a vertical position and being shown heldin a horizontal position in broken lines.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention but withthe paper roll being removed from the clamps.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on a verticalplane through the center of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view on a further enlarged scale as viewed fromthe left of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line VIVI of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the front of the back plate showing themechanisms attached thereto.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the front plate showing the mechanisms attachedthereto.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the clamping mechanisms of the presentinvention with their related parts being shown and with parts beingbroken away and rernovcd for purposes of illustration.

FIG. ll is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line XIXI of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line XIIXII ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an clevational view of the back side of a modified back plateof the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as on the lineXIVXIV of FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby reference characters, the roll handling mechanism 11 of the presentinvention is adapted to be used in conjunction with a lift truck ofsuitable construction, as, for example, the lift truck 13 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Lift truck 13 is preferably a self-powered mobile truck ofwell-known construction which includes the usual mast 15 adjacent thefront part thereof, with the mast including the usual laterally spacedand inwardly facing channel members 17. Mast 15 also includes a hoistingchain 19 which is coupled to suitable power means, not shown, on lifttruck 13 to raise and lower chain 19, which in turn raises and lowersroll handling mechanism 11 in a manner which will be better understoodin the description to follow later in the specification.

In addition, lift truck 13 includes the usual wheels 21, steering wheel23, and drivers seat 25. Other details of lift truck 13 are not shownsince they are well known to those skilled in the art and form no partof the present invention.

Roll handling mechanism 11 comprises in general a first or back plate27, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7; a clamping mechanism 29, best seen inFIG. 10; and a rotation mechanism 31, best seen in FIG. 4, interposedbetween back plate 27 and clamping mechanism 29. Roll handling mechanism11 is movably mounted on mast 15 for vertical movement by means ofrollers 33 that rollingly engage the flanges of channel members 17 andthat are respectively rotatably mounted on brackets 35 which in turn arefixedly attached by suitable means to the back side 36 of back plate 27.Back plate 27 is coupled to the end of chain 19 by suitable means asfastening members 37 so that handling mechanism 11 can be selectivelymoved upwardly and downwardly by the operator of the lift truck 13. Itshould be noted, as best seen in FIG. 4, that the back plate 27 iscontiguous to channel member 17, which helps to reduce the load-centerlosses. Also, it should be noted that by having this structure, theusual carriage found on devices of this type is eliminated, therebyfurther reducing the load-center losses.

Back plate 27 is preferably fiat and rectangular in shape, and isprovided with a central opening 39 therethrough. A hub 41 extendsthrough opening 39 and is fixedly attached to back plate 27 by suitablemeans, as by welding. I

Hub 41 is provided with a central bore 43 therethrough, in which isrotatably mounted a spindle 45. Hub 41 is provided with an annularrecess 47 adjacent the forward end of bore 43, and in which recess abearing ring 49 is received with the outer race 51 of the bearing beingfixedly attached to hub 41 and the inner race 53 being fixedly attachedto spindle so that the spindle will turn freely in hub 41, about an axisextending substantially perpendicular to back plate 27.

A second or front plate 55 is fixedly attached adjacent the forward endof spindle 45, as by extending the forward end of the spindle through acentral bore 57 in front plate 55 and welding the front plate in place.Front plate 55 is substantially flat and rectangular, and is disposed inspaced parallel relationship forwardly of back plate 27.

An annular channel member 59 is mounted, as by welding or the like, onthe front side 61 of back plate 27, with the channel member beingconcentric with spindle 45. Channel member 59 includes the web portion63 and spaced flanges 65, 67 extending inwardly from adjacent theopposite edges of the web portion. A plurality of rollers 69 rollinglyengage one of flanges 65, 67, with the axis of rotation of the rollersextending substantially radially relative to spindle 45. The rollers 69are rotatably mounted from front plate 55 adjacent the back side 71thereof as by means of a plurality of segments 73 that are arranged in acircle, as best seen in FIG. 8. The segments are right-angular incross-section, as best seen in FIG. 4, and are mounted from the backplate 27 as by means of screws 75. Each of the rollers 69 is rotatablysupported on one of segments 73 by suitable means as the spindles 77having a nut 79 threadedly engaged on the end thereof. There arepreferably three segments 73 and preferably two rollers 69 rotatablysupported from each segment, as best seen in FIG. 8. It will beunderstood from the foregoing that front plate 55 is firmly rotatablysupported relative to back plate 27.

A first, or relatively stationary, clamp arm 81 is fixedly mounted onfront plate 55 in spaced relation to the spindle 45. Clamp arm 81 ispreferably hollow and includes a substantially flat outer sid 83adjacent the outside edge of front plate 55', an inner side 85 thatextends from a place on front plate 55 spaced inwardly from outer side83 forwardly and arcuatcly, as best seen in FIG. I, to a joint Withouter side 83 at the forward edge of clamp arm 81; a top 87; and abottom 89. Arm 81 is rigid and the inner side 85 forms a portion of animaginary cylinder with a diameter substantially equal to the diameterof the maximum size paper roll R with which th roll handling mechanism11 is adapted to be used. It will be seen in FIG. 1 that clamp arm 81extends outwardly to a place which is slightly less than the center ofthe maximum roll R of paper.

A guide mechanism 91 is provided adjacent the upper iii edge of frontplate 55. Guide mechanism 91 includes an outer guide cylinder 93 fixedlyattached to th upper edge of front plate 55 as by welding or the likeand an inner guide bar 95 that is slidabiy and telescopically receivedin outer guide cylinder 93. Guide mechanism 91 in efi'ect is wrappedaround behind front plat 55; that is to say, none of the guide mechanismextends forwardly of the front plate, but rather extends rearwardlythereof, as best seen in FIG. 4. By the use of this structure, it willbe understood that an additional reduction in load-center losses iseffected. A similar guide mechanism 97 is provided adjacent the loweredge of front plate 55 and arranged in a similar manner to guidemechanism 91, so that it is wrapped around the lower edge of th frontplate. Guide mechanism 97, in a similar manner to guide mechanism 91,includes outer guide cylinder 99 and inner guide bar 101.

A shoulder or vertical plate member 103 is provided which acts as thesupport means for a swinging clamp arm 105 in a manner to be describedlater in the specification. Vertical plate member 103 is rigidlyattached forwardly of inner guide bars 95, 101, and respectivelyconnected thereto by means of the attaching members 107, 109, which arefixedly attached to the rearward side 111 of plate 103 and the forwardside of the inner guide bars. In other words, the inner guide bars 95,101, vertical plate 103, and attaching members 107, 109 form a rigidassembly that is movably mounted relative to the assembly of front plate55, outer guide cylinders 93, 99, and clamp arm 81. and that is adaptedto carry the clamp arm 105 towards and away from clamp arm 81. It willbe noted that plate 103 is spaced forwardly of plate 55 and moves acrossthe front thereof. In the front of outer guide cylinders 93, 99 arerespectively provided slots 113, 115 that extend from one end of theouter guide cylinders longitudinally thereof for a substantial distanceso that spaces are provided for attaching members 107, 709 to move.

The means for the actuation of the above-mentioned movement of platemember 103 with its associated parts relative to front plate 55 and itsassociated parts, preferably comprise a pair of piston-cylinderassemblies 117, 119 that are respectively connected to plate member 103at one end as by lugs 121, 123 and are respectively connected to frontplate 55 at the opposite ends thereof, as by lugs 125, 127.Piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119 are located respectively above andbelow rotation mechanism 31 behind plate 55 and just inwardly of guidemechanisms 91, 97 so that a minimum of space is taken up. The actualhydraulic connections of the piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119 will bedescribed later in the specification.

Referring now to swinging clamp arm 105, best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10.the clamp arm is preferably of composite construction and includes anarcuate inward side 129, an arcuate outward side 131, top 133, bottom135, and a brace member 137 interconnecting the other members. Arm 105is swingably mounted from plate member 103 by a hinge 139 which includesspaced hinge portions 141 that are fixedly attached to the rearward edgeof clamp arm 105 and spaced hinge portions 143 that are mountedforwardly from plate member 103 in spaced relationship thereto by meansof the supporting members 145. In addition, hinge includes the usualhinge pin 147 extending through hinge portions 141, 143. Thus, clamp arm105 is swingably mounted in spaced relation to clamp arm 81 for swingingmovement towards and away from clamp arm 81. The means for actuating theswinging movement of clamp arm 105 is preferably by the piston-cylinderassembly 149 that is provided on the interior of the clamp arm and isconnected at one end to plate member 103 by suitable fastening meanswhich includes lugs 151, and the opposite end is connected to brace 137by suitable fastening means which includes lugs 153. The actualhydraulic connection of piston-cylinder assembly 149 with the rest ofthe hydraulic system will be brought out later in the specification.

Clamp arm 105 includes an articulated pad assembly 155 at the outer endthereof. Pad assembly 155 includes a concave rigid backing plate 157that is pivotally attached along the outer edge of inward side 129 as bymeans of a hinge 159. In addition, pad assembly 155 includes a resilientcushion 161 of rubber or the like mounted on the inside of backing plate157 and attached thereto as by means of rivets 163 and extend throughaligned apertures in cushion 161 and backing plate 157. The inner endsof rivets 163 are preferably contained in recesses 165 provided in theinner face 167 of resilient cushion 161. Also, pad assembly 155 includesa pair of vertically extending and laterally spaced pads 169, 171 thatare respectively mounted against the inner face 167 by a plurality offastening members 173. Each of the fastening members 173 preferablyincludes a nut 175 that is fixedly mounted on the back side of therelated pad 169 or 171, as by welding or the like, and which fits into arecess 177 in the face 167 of resilient cushion 161. In addition,fastening member 173 includes a washer 179 loosely received in anaperture 181 through backing plate 157. Also, fastening member 173includes a screw 183 extending through washer 179, through a bore 185 incushion 161, and threadedly engaged in nut 175. From the above, it canbe seen that the pads 169, 171 are resiliently mounted fro-m backingplate 157 and can move slightly relative thereto. The respective rollcontacting inner surfaces 186, 187 of pads 169, 171 are arcuate and liein the outside surface of an imaginary cylinder whose diameter is lessthan the diameter of the largest roll of paper to be handled and greaterthan the diameter of the minimum roll to be handled. Thus, when a rollof paper, as, for example, roll R, is first contacted as the clamp arm105 is moved inwardly, the roll will first be contacted on the outwardedges 188, 189 of pads 169, 171, as best seen in FIG. 12 where thebroken line R represents the outside surface of the roll of paper R.Continued inward movement of clamp arm 105 will cause a slight twistingof the pads 169, 171 until the roll contacting surfaces 186, 187 conformto and contact the roll surface R' along substantially the entiresurfaces 186, 187. From the foregoing, it will be understood that thereis a mechanical storing of energy by the pad assembly 155 so that if thehydraulic oil pressure is slightly released for one reason or another,the resiliently mounted pads 169, 171 will take up the slack.

The entire clamping mechanism assembly 29 shown in FIG. 10, whichincludes the plate 55, clamp arms 81, 105, and all the parts shown inthe figure, is rotatable about an axis extending through spindle 45. Theactual means for causing the rotation is preferably as follows:

An annular gear 190 concentric with spindle 45 is fixedly attached as byscrews 191 to back plate 27 around channel member 59. A smaller gear 192engages gear 190 and is fixedly mounted on the shaft 193 of a hydraulicmotor 194, which is preferably mounted on the front side 195 of frontplate 55 in clamp arm 81, as best seen in FIG. 10, with the shaft 193extending through an aperture, not shown, in the front plate and withthe gear 192 being mounted on the shaft on the back side 71 of the frontplate.

The hydraulic system includes a tank 196 located on the lift truck 13and which contains hydraulic fluid F. Line 197 leads from tank 195 to apump 199. A line 200 leads from pump 199 with one branch 200a leading tothe midpoint of chamber 201 of a control valve 202, and the other branch200D leading to the midpoint of chamber 203 of another control valve205. A return line 207 leads from line 200 back to tank 196 through arelief valve 209. Another return line 211 empties into return line 207and has branches 211a and 211b leading from the opposite ends of chamber201, and has branches 211c and 211d leading from the opposite ends ofchamber 203.

Control valve 205 controls the flow of fluid F to and from hydraulicmotor 194 through the passageways 213 and 215 which interconnect motor194 and chamber 203. Motor 194 is of usual construction so that flow offluid towards the motor through passageway 213 will cause the motor tobe driven in one direction with the oil returning through the passageway215, and flow of oil through passageway 215 toards the motor with theoil returning by passageway 213 will cause the motor to rotate in theopposite direction. It will he understood that this flow will bedetermined by the position of the spool-like piston 217 slidably mountedin chamber 203. Piston 217 is movable by means of a lever 219 pivotallymounted from the valve body 221 of valve 205 by a bracket 223. It willbe further understood that when the piston 217 is moved to the left asviewed in FIG. 9, the fluid will flow from branch 200b, through chamber203 between the enlarged portions 217a and 217b of the piston 217, andthrough the passageway 213. In this position, it will be understood thatpassageway 213 is uncovered by the enlarged portion 217a being moved tothe left and that passageway 215 is uncovered by enlarged portion 217bbeing moved to the left so that the return oil flow can pass to theright of enlarged portion 217b and through line 211d and the returnconduits 211, 207 to tank 196. When piston 217 is moved in the oppositedirection or to the right as viewed in FIG. 9, it will be understoodthat the fluid flow will be from the line 20% through chamber 203between piston portions 217a and 217b and then through the passageway215 since the portion 217b will unblock the passageway 215. Also, thepassageway 213 will be unblocked by portion 217a moving to the rightwhich will allow return flow of fluid to pass to the left of enlargedportion 217a and out through the branch 211c and return conduits 211,207 to tank 196.

For purposes of clarity in the schematic diagram of FIG. 9, thepassageways 213 and 215 have been shown as integral passageways, whereasactually the passageways are broken down into various portions betweenthe valve 205 and the motor 194. Thus, the portion 213a leads from valve205 to hub 41 where it is connected by a suitable fitting to portion213b provided in the hub which leads to a portion 213c which is in theform of an annular groove around the periphery of spindle from where aportion 213d in the form of a bore through the spindle leads to a pointadjacent the back side 71 of forward plate 103. From portion 213d, aportion 213e in the form of a line leads to a fitting where the fluidpasses through the front plate to a portion 2l3f in the form of a linewhich is connected to the motor 194. Thus, all of the portions numbered213 with the sufiixes a through if form the segments of the passageway213 and go together to make up the entire passageway. In a like manner,the passageway 215 is broken up into portions which have been designatedby suffixes a through f to correspond to the similar portions ofpassageways 213.

Referring again to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 9, a passageway225 leads from chamber 201 of valve 202 and is divided into branches orpassageways 227 and 229 at the opposite end thereof, which branchesrespectively lead into the forward end of the chambers 231 and 233 ofthe respective piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119. Although thepassageway 225 is shown as being integral in FIG. 9, actually thepassageway is broken up into portions. Thus, a portion 225a leads from avalve 202 to a fitting on hub 41 which connects to a portion 225b in theform of a bore in the hub that leads to a portion 225c in the form of anannular groove in spindle 45 from which leads a portion 225d in the formof a bore through the spindle. Also, the passageway 227 is preferably inportions. Thus, a portion 227a, in the form of a bore in plate 55 leadsfro-m portion 225d to a fitting from where the portion 227b leads to thechamber 231. In like manner, the passageway 229 is in portions, with theportion 229a being in the form of a bore through plate 55 leading fromportion 225d to a fitting and with a portion 22% leading to chamber 233from portion 229a.

Th piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119 respectively include pistons 235,237 which respectively have piston rods 239, 241 attached to the forwardcentral portions thereof and extend forwardly and slidably throughapertures 243, 245 respectively provided in the forward end of thepiston-cylinder assemblies with suitable sealing means being provided.The piston rod 241 is sleeve-like in construction and is closed oif atthe end thereof as at 247. Piston rod 241 has a central bore 249 thatextends from end 247 throughout the length of the piston rod 241 and isextended through piston 237. An inner rod 251 is attached adjacent thecentral portion of the end 253 of piston-cylinder assembly 119 andextends into bore 249. In other words, the outer piston rod 241 isslidably and telescopically mounted on inner rod 251. By the use of thisunique construction, the need for hose lines to the shoulder or plate103 is eliminated.

A line 255 extends from chamber 231 on the rearward side of piston 235opposite from passageway 227 and is branched, with one branch 257leading to chamber 233 on the rearward side of piston 237 opposite frompassageway 229, and the other branch 259 leads to a counterbalance valve261 of usual construction. Valve 261 and valve 283 mentioned hereinafterare of conventional construction, well-known to those skilled in theart. A suitable valve construction for valves 261 and 283 is thecounter-balance valve marketed by Fluid Controls, Inc., of 1284 No.Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, and which is shown in detail on sheets #250and #2.52a of the catalog of said Fluid Controls, Inc. Valve 261 isarranged so that it normally acts as a check valve permitting flowthrough the valve in the direction shown by the arrow r but preventingflow in the opposite direction unless a predetermined pressure isreached. From counterbalance valve 261, a line 263 leads and is branchedwith one branch or passageway 265 leading to the chamber 201 of controlvalve 202 and the other branch 267 leading to a central bore 269 throughend 253 and inner piston rod 251. Passageway 265 is preferably inportions. Thus, a portion 265a leads from the valve 202 to hub 41 wherea fitting connects it to a portion 265b in the form of a bore in the hubwhich leads to a portion 265c in the form of an annular groove inspindle 45 from where the portion 265d in the form of a bore through thespindle leads to a portion 265e in the form of a bore through the plate55 which leads to a juncture with passageways 263 and 267. A line 271leads from bore 249 adjacent end 247 to bore 273 of piston-cylinderassembly 149 with the entrance port being on the forward side of thepiston 275 of the piston-cylinder assembly. A piston rod 277 is attachedto the piston 275 and leads outwardly through a central bore in the end279 of piston-cylinder assembly 149. A line 281 leads from chamber 273on the opposite side of piston 275 from line 271 and to acounter-balance valve 283 which is similar to counter-balance valve 261.Valve 283 permits the normal flow of fluid through the valve in thedirection shown by the arrow at the valve but limits flow of fluid inthe opposite direction unless a predetermined pressure is reached. Aline 285 leads from counter-balance valve 283 to a bore 287 providedthrough piston rod 239 and which bore enters into chamber 231.

Suitable sealing means, such as O-rings 288 are provided in grooves inspindle 45 between the spindle and hub 41, and on either side of theportions 213c, 215c, 225c, and 265c, to prevent oil flow longitudinallyof the spindle. Valve 202 is constructed in a similar manner to valve205 and includes piston 289 and lever 291 which correspond to piston 217and lever 219, respectively. The operation of valve 202 also is similarto the operation of valve 205, and it will be understood that whenpistons 237 and 239 are in a position to the left as shown in FIG. 9,the flow will be from the valve through passageway 265 and will bereturned by passageway 225, and when the piston is moved to the right,the flow will be in the opposite direction. It will be noted that inFIG. 9 valve 205 is shown in neutral position, whereas valve 202 isshown in a position to the left.

It will be understood that when the piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119are in the retracted positions shown in FIG. 9, the clamp arm 105 willbe in an inward position, as shown in broken lines as at 105a in FIG. 1,and when the piston-cylinder assemblies are extended, the clamp arm 105will be in an outer position, as, for example, like that shown in solidlines in FIG. 1. Also, it will be understood that when thepiston-cylinder assembly 149 is in an extended position, as shown insolid lines in FIG. 9, the clamp arm 105 will be swung inwardly towardsthe other clamp arm 81, and when the piston-cylinder assembly 149 isretracted, the clamp arm 105 will be swung outwardly, as shown in brokenlines as at 105b in FIG. 1.

In describing the operation of the mechanism 11, it will be assumed thatthe piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119, and 149 are in the positionsshown in FIG. 9, so that the clamp arm 105 is in the position shown asat 105a in FIG. 1. Starting with the parts in the positionabovedescribed, and to make ready to pick up a roll R, the lever 291 ismoved into the position shown in solid ]ines in FIG. 9 so that the flowof hydraulic fluid is from valve 202 through passageway 265. The flowwill con tinue from passageway 265, through passageway 267 (but notthrough line 263 since it will be initially blocked by counter-balancevalve 261), through bore 269, through line 271, whereupon it will forcepiston 275 into a re tracted position of the piston-cylinder assembly149, which in turn will swing clamp arm 105 outwardly, as heretoforedescribed. The hydraulic fluid on the opposite side of piston 275returns through the line 281, counter-balance valve 283, line 285, bore287, chamber 231, passageway 227, passageway 225, chamber 201, line211b, line 211, and line 207 to the tank 196. After the piston 275 hasmoved to its extreme position, the pressure will build up in line 271,passageway 267, passageway 265, and line 263 until the predeterminedpressure is exceeded on valve 261 which will permit fluid to flowtherethrough into line 259 and thence through lines 255 and 257 to therearward sides of pistons 235, 237, whereupon the piston-cylinderassemblies 117, 119, will be simultaneously moved into extendedpositions to move the clamp arm 105 away from the clamp arm 81. It willbe understood that the fluid on the forward sides of the pistons 235,237 can return through passageway 227, passageway 229, passageway 225,chamber 201, lines 211b, 211 and 207 to the tank 196. From theforegoing, it will be seen that there is a sequential operation inopening the clamp mechanism 29 with the arm 105 first being swungoutwardly and then moved laterally outwardly. In closing the clampmechanism 29, substantially the reverse of the above sequentialoperation will take place. Thus, the clamp arm 105 will first movelaterally inwardly and then the clamp arm will swing inwardly to contactthe paper roll R and pull it in. The flow of hydraulic fluid in thislatter operation is traced as follows: The piston 289 is moved to theright by lever 291 which allows fluid to flow from the valve 202 throughpassageway 225 to the forward sides of pistons 235, 237, which moves thepistons to the left and causes the piston assemblies 117, 119 to retractsimultaneously. It will be understood that this is possible relative topistoncylinder assembly 117 since fluid cannot escape through line 285as it is initially blocked off by the counterbalance valve 283. Also, itwill be understood that the fluid on the rearward sides of the pistons235, 237 can escape through the lines 257, 255, 259, valve 261, line263, passageway 165, chamber 201, line 211a, line 211, and line 207 totank 196. After the piston-cylinder assemblies 117, 119 have been fullyretracted or clamp arm 105 has made contact with roll R, the pressurebegins to build up in line 285 until a predetermined pressure isreached, at which time the counter-balance valve 283 will allow thepassage of fluid through the valve into line 281 which in turn willcause the piston-cylinder assembly 149 to extend and move the clamp arm10-5 inwardly.

It should be noted, as best seen in FIG. 1, that the clamp arm 105extends beyond arm 81 and the center of roll R so that the clamp arm hasa tendency to pull the roll back towards the lift truck 13. Thiseliminates the necessity of the forward tilt of the lift truck to pickup a roll from the floor.

In the modified structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the end of spindle293, which corresponds to spindle 45, terminates flush with back plate295 rather than extending beyond the back plate as in the previouslydescribed primary embodiment. Also, instead of having the fluid linesenter the portion of the hub extending rearwardly of the back plate asin the primary embodiment,

the lines 297, 299, 301 and 303, which respectively correspond to thelines and passageways 213, 215, 225 and 255 of the primary embodiment,enter through the top of the back plate 295 and extend through bores inthe plate itself, with portions extending through the hub 305, spindle293, and front plate 307, as in the primary embodiment. Thus, by thismeans, the load-center loss can be reduced by an additional amount.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that a very efiieient andeffective roll handling mechanism 11 is provided which offers manyadvantages over previous roll handling mechanisms. Thus, the load-centerlosses of the clamp of the present invention are greatly reduced overrevious clamps. In addition, a very effective and improved constructionconcerning the hydraulic system is achieved by the present invention.Also, the mechanical storage of energy in the roll engaging pads is avery effective device for taking up the slack in the event of oilpressure being released. In addition, it will be seen that an overallimproved mechanism is provided which departs extensively from theprevious pattern in the industry of stacking one component on another.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it isto be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes andmodifications may be made therein which are within the full intendedscope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A lift truck with roll handling mechanism for use in handling rollsof paper and the like comprising in combination a self-powered mobiletruck having a substantially vertical mast with portions of said mastbeing adapted for up and down movement, a back plate secured to saidportions of said mast, a front plate, bearing means rotatably supportingsaid front plate from said back plate, roll clamping means including apair of cooperative clamp arms, one of said clamp arms being mounted onsaid front plate, support means movably supporting the other of saidclamp arms from said front plate for rectilinear movement towards andaway from said one of said clamp arms and for swinging movement inwardand outward relative to said one of said clamp arms, at least onepiston-cylinder assembly interposed between said support rneans and saidfront plate for causing said rectilinear movement of said other of saidclamp arms, an additional piston-cylinder assembly interposed betweensaid support means and said other of said clamp arms for causing saidswinging movement of said other of said clamp arms, and conduit meansfor supplying hydraulic fluid to said piston-cylinder assemblies andincluding a portion extending centrally through said firstmentionedpiston-cylinder assembly.

2. A lift truck with roll handling mechanism for use in handling roll-sof paper and the like comprising in combination a self-powered mobiletruck having a substantially vertical mast with portions of said mastbeing adapted for up and down movement, a substantially fiat first platehaving a front side and a back side, means connecting said first plateto said portions of said mast with said back side of said first platebeing contiguous with said mast, a substantially flat second platehaving a front side and a back side and disposed outwardly from saidfront side of said first plate and substantially parallel therewith,bearing means between said first and second plates rotatably supportingsaid second plate from said first plate thereby defining an axis ofrotation extending fore and aft substantially perpendicularly throughsaid first and second plates, a first clamp arm fixedly attached to saidsecond plate and extending from said front side of said second platesubstantially perpendicular thereto and spaced from said axis ofrotation, a second clamp arm extending substantially perpendicularlyoutwardly from said second plate, mounting means movably mounting saidsecond clamp arm on said second plate for c0- operative back and forthmovement towards and away from said first clamp arm, said mounting meansincluding at least two guide means disposed on opposite sides of saidaxis of rotation with the major portions of each thereof being disposedadjacent said back side of said second plate, first hydraulic actuatingmeans connected to said second clamp arm for causing movement of saidsecond clamp arm towards and away from said first clamp arm torespectively clamp or loosen a roll of paper and the like, secondhydraulic actuating means powered from said mobile truck connected tosaid portions of said mast for up and down movement of said rollhandling mechanism to lift a clamped roll of paper and the like, thirdhydraulic actuating means connected to said second plate for causingrotational movement of said second plate relative to said first plate torotatably position a clamped and lifted roll of paper and the like, andconduit and valve means hydraulically connected to said actuating means.

3. A lift truck with roll handling mechanism for use in handling rollsof paper and the like comprising in combination a self-powered mobiletruck having a sub stantially vertical mast with portions of said mastbeing "adapted for up and down movement, a back plate secured to saidportions of said mast, a front plate, bearing means rotatably supportingsaid front plate from said back plate, roll clamping means including afirst clamp arm and a second cooperative clamp arm, said first clamp armbeing mounted on said front plate, support means movably supporting saidsecond clamp arm from said front plate for rectilinear movement thereoftowards said first clamp arm and towards a roll of paper interposedbetween said clamp arms and for swinging movement inward relative tosaid second clamp arm and towards a roll of paper interposed betweensaid clamp arms, a first piston-cylinder assembly interposed betweensaid support means and said front plate for causing said rectilinearmovement of said second clamp arm, a second pistoncylinder assemblyinterposed between said support means and said second clamp arm forcausing said swinging movement of said second clamp arm, acounterbalance valve, source means for supplying hydraulic fluid underpressure, first conduit means leading from said source means to saidcounter-balance valve and one end of said first piston-cylinder assemblyto cause said first piston-cylinder assembly to be actuated and movesaid second clamp arm towards said first clamp arm and towards the rollof paper interposed between said clamp arms, restriction of inwardmovement of said second clamp arm by contact with said roll of paperbeing effective to cause pressure to build up in said first conduitmeans to a predetermined point, said counter-balance valve beingresponsive to a buildup in pressure in said first conduit means to saidpredetermined point to allow hydraulic fluid to pass through saidcounter-balance valve, second conduit means leading from saidcounterbalance 1 1 valve to said second piston-cylinder assembly forcausing said second piston-cylinder assembly to be actuated whenhydraulic fluid is passed through said counter-balance valve wherebysaid second clamp arm is caused to swing inwardly when said inwardmovement thereof is restricted,

4. A lift truck with roll handling mechanism for use in handling rollsof paper and the like comprising in combination a self-powered mobiletruck having a substantially vertical most with portions of said mastbeing adapted for up and down movement, a first plate having a frontside and a back side, means connecting said first plate to said portionsof said mast with said back side of said first plate being contiguouswith said must, a second plate having a front side and a back side anddisposed outwardly front said front side of said first plate in closelyspaced substantially parallel relationship therewith, means rotatablysupporting said second plate from said first plate thereby defining anaxis of rotation extending fore and aft substantially perpendicularthrough sa d first and second plates, roll clamping means including apair of cooperative clamp arms mounted on said second plate adjacent thefront side thereof, a first gear concentric with said axis of rotationand fixedly attached to said first plate on the front side thereofbetween said first and second plates, a shaft, a second gear betweensaid first and second plates fixedly mounted on said shaft and operablycoupled to said first gear, means operably coupled to said shaft andfixedly mounted on said second plate outside of the Space between saidfirst and second plates for providing driving means to rotate saidsecond plate relative to said first plate and yet permit a close spacingof said first and second plates for a low load center loss, one of saidclamp arms being substantially fixed relative to said second plate,support means movably supporting the other of said clamp arms from saidsecond plate for rectilinear movement towards and away from said one ofsaid clamp arms and for swinging movement inward and outward relative tosaid one of said clamp arms, and a piston-cylinder assembly interposedbetween said support means and said other of said clamp arms for causingsaid swinging movement of said other of said clamp arms, guide meansreacting between said second plate and said support means to guide saidsecond plate rcctilinearly relative to said support means, a portion ofsaid guide means overlapping the space between said first and secondplates.

5. A lift truck with roll handling mechanism for use in handling rollsof paper and the like comprising in combination a self-powered mobiletruck having a substantially vertical mast with portions of said mastbeing adapted for up and down movement, a first plate having a frontside and a back side, means connecting said first plate to said portionsof said must with said back side of said first plate being contiguouswith said mast, a second plate having a front side and a back side anddisposed out wardly from said front side of said first plate in closelylit spaced substantially parallel relationship therewith, meansrotatably supporting said second plate from said first plate therebydefining an axis of rotation extending fore and aft substantiallyperpendicular through said first and second plates, roll clamping meansincluding a pair of cooperative clamp arms mounted on said second plateadjacent the front side thereof, a first gear concentric with said axisof rotation and fixedly attached to said first plate on the front sidethereof between said first and second plates, a shaft, a second gearbetween said first and second plates fixedly mounted on said shaft andoperably coupled to said first gear, means operably coupled to saidshaft and fixed/y mounted on said second plate outside of the spacebetween said first and second plates for providing driving means torotate said second plate relative to said first plate and yet permit aclose spacing of said first and second plates for a low load centerloss, said means operably coupled to said shaft being disposed on thefront side of said second plate adjacent one of said clamp arms to theoutside of at least a portion of the clamping surface.

6. The lift truck of claim 5 in which said means operably coupled tosaid shaft comprises a hydraulic motor and in. which is provided meansfor supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic motor including ahydraulic tank located on said lift truck, a hydraulic pump, hydrauliccontrol means; pipe means operably connecting said tank, said pump andsaid control means; and passageway means leading from said control meansto said hydraulic motor with a portion of said passageway meansextending through said means rotatably supporting said second plate fromsaid first plate.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

R. B. JOHNSON, Assistant Examiner.

